60-year-old Granny Zhang developed a red bean-sized lump under her tongue with pain, inflammation, and ulcers.

In the beginning, Granny Zhang didn’t take this “mouth ulcer” to heart, But half a month has passed, It hasn’t healed on its own yet.

Mr. Zhang went to the local hospital and lost another 10 days of fluids, but it didn’t work. This made Granny Zhang anxious.

Mr. Zhang had to go to a large hospital to see a doctor. After a pathological examination, she was found to have oral squamous cell carcinoma< /span>, and because of the delay in treatment, the condition is already very serious.

Mr. Zhang’ssublingual and lower gums have been severely ulcerated, and the entire lower half of the oral cavity has been invaded by the tumor< /strong>, and showed signs of neck metastases. Granny Zhang can no longer eat. In less than a month, she lost more than 10 pounds, and she has to face the next treatment.

1. Why is oral ulcer so difficult?

Oral ulcers, medically known as aphthous ulcers (also known as recurrent aphthous ulcers, recurrent oral ulcers), are ulcerative lesions on the oral mucosa. Mostly in the inner lips, tongue, vestibular groove, soft palate and buccal mucosa and other places.

Recurrent oral ulcers recur periodically, and the ulcers are not cancerous. They often have four characteristics:

• Red: the mouth around the ulcer The mucous membranes become red and swollen.
• Yellow: The surface of the ulcer is yellow due to exudation of cellulose.
• Depressed: The center of the ulcer will dent.
• Pain: The pain is usually pronounced as the inflammation persists.

Why do oral ulcers often occur? It may be related to 4 aspects.

First, digestive system diseases affect the immune system and cause disease, such as gastric ulcer, ulcerative colitis, hepatitis, etc. Second, nutritional factors, such as lack of zinc, iron, folic acid , trace elements such as vitamin B12, and malnutrition.

The third is infection factors, such as streptococcus and other viral infections, and finally may be affected by genetic factors.

Second, oral ulcers are not good and may be related to 3 diseases

Generally, benign oral ulcers will heal on their own within 1-2 weeks. But some diseases also like to “disguise” as ordinary recurrent oral ulcers.

1. Behcet’s syndrome

Behcet’s syndrome is a disease of unknown etiology Systemic immune system disease, which causes inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. Up to 99.5% of Behçet’s syndrome patients have oral ulcers as the first symptom., the symptoms are similar to ordinary oral ulcers, and they are incurable. It takes 1-2 weeks to heal on its own, and it can recur, and the ulcers can be single or multiple.

How to distinguish? Common canker sores are usually small and shallow, generally no more than 1 cm in size, round or oval in shape, and white, red, yellow, or gray in color. In Behçet’s syndrome, ulcers are larger and mostly irregular in shape.

Ordinary mouth ulcers usually develop on the mucous membranes of the cheeks, lips or tongue in the mouth, while Behçet’s syndrome ulcers can affect many parts of the body in addition to the mouth , such as pharyngeal ulcers, peptic ulcers, genital ulcers, skin lesions, arthritis, ophthalmia, etc.

2. Traumatic ulcers< /p>

Traumatic ulcers are mostly caused by mechanical, chemical or physical stimuli, such as bites, burns, etc.

The area of ​​traumatic ulcers is generally 0.2-1 cm, round, oval or irregular in shape, with a white or yellowish-white pseudomembrane on the surface. The edges will rise above the surface.

The ulcer can be long or short, and if the irritant is not removed,the ulcer may not heal for a long time, the corresponding partmay be cancerous under long-term chronic stimulation.

Traumatic ulcers will appear red and swollen in the early stage, and prolonged stimulation will cause varying degrees of pain. If a secondary infection develops, swollen lymph nodes may also be present, along with symptoms such as tenderness and fever.

3. Oral cancer ulcers

Oral cancer occurs in the elderly over 55 years old, who have bad life such as chewing betel nut, addiction to tobacco and alcohol Habits can increase the risk of oral cancer.

Ulcers are the most common manifestations of oral cancer, and they occur in the abdomen, tongue margins, cheeks, corners of the mouth, and gums.

mostlyulcers are shallow or deep, with raised peripheral edges and central < span>Bumpy, and hard texture, there will be necrotic tissue coverage, gingival , white or red spots on the tongue or oral mucosa, and may with swollen submental, mandibular, or cervical lymph nodes.

Generally, if a mouth ulcerdoes not heal for more than 2-3 weeks, Even if you don’t get better for several months or you have other abnormal symptoms in your mouth, including unexplained oral pain, numb lips, loose teeth, hard lumps, leukoplakia that cannot be eliminated, erythema, etc., you should be alert to oral cancer and go to the hospital for relevant examinations as soon as possible .

Third, can vitamin C treat oral ulcers?

Nutritionist Gu Zhongyi once said that getting vitamin C from the diet can prevent oral ulcers, but if you have oral ulcers, you can eat it after Vitamin C, there is no therapeutic effect.

Then why do doctors prescribe multivitamins and zinc when they go to the hospital for oral ulcers?

This is actually mainly to improve the body’s metabolic level and promote the healing of the ulcer surface. These drugs only play a role in adjuvant therapy to help relieve the symptoms of oral ulcers, not Medications for the cause of the disease.

Fourth, if vitamin C doesn’t work, try these methods

If you have oral ulcers, if you want to speed up the healing, you can rinse your mouth with light salt water (4.5 grams of salt + 500 ml of warm drinking water) or mouthwash containing chlorhexidine. It is not recommended to apply directly with salt, white wine, etc. , so as not to irritate the affected area.

Medications can also be used under the guidance of doctors, a common treatment for mouth ulcers. Drugs include:

• Powders: such as Bingboran powder, tin powder, etc., suitable for large-area oral ulcers, take 1-2 times a day.
• Ulcer Spray: Suitable for those with multiple, diffuse oral ulcers.
• Ulcer patches: such as butyl boron oral ointment, dexamethasone acetate oral patches, etc., which can block irritation.
• lozenges: This type of drug has a good effect on recurrent and herpetic oral ulcers. If the ulcer area further expands, lozenges can be used for treatment.
• gargles: such as compound borax, herbal gargles, etc., suitable for tableted, large-area and scattered oral ulcers.

Oral ulcers are common and don’t need to be stressful. Regularly developing good oral hygiene habits, eating a balanced diet, not staying up late, and exercising more to enhance physical fitness will help prevent oral ulcers. If the mouth ulcer does not heal for more than 2 weeks, or if you have other oral symptoms, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

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